ONE who is minded to ask might ask1 about the suffering which [in the hereafter] is bound to befall

1 Lit.," An inquirer inquired" or "might inquire".

A questioner asked5675 about a Penalty to befall-

5675 Any one might ask. When will Judgement come? That question usually implies doubt. The answer is: the mystery of Time is beyond man's comprehension. But there is something which touches him closely and concerns his conduct and his future welfare; and that is explained in four propositions: (1) Judgement is sure to come, and none can ward it off; (2) it will exact a dreadful Penalty from Unbelievers, but the righteous have nothing to fear; (3) it will be a Penalty from Allah, the Lord of both Justice and Mercy, it will not be merely a blind calamity of fate; and (4) further we are reminded of another title of Allah. "Lord of the Ways of Ascent"; which means that though He sits high on His Throne of Glory, He is not inaccessible, but in His infinite Mercy has provided ways of ascent to Him; see next note.

A questioner asked about a Penalty to befall-
— Abdullah Yusuf Ali

A questioner questioned concerning the doom about to fall
— Marmaduke Pickthall

One demanding, demanded the chastisement which must befall
— M. Habib Shakir

A questioner asked concerning a torment about to befall
— Taqiuddin Hilali and M. Mohsin Khan

There hath asked an asker for the torment about to befall.
— Abdul-Majid Daryabadi

A caller supplicated about a punishment to fall on
— Hasan Qaribullah and Ahmed Darwish

A questioner asked of a punishment about to befall
— Ayub Khan

An inquirer inquires concerning the punishment about to befall
— Sher Ali

ONE who is minded to ask might ask about the suffering which [in the hereafter] is bound to befall
— Muhammad Asad